Saints Simon and Jude
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude. These two apostles are brothers, sons of Mary of Cleopas (married to Alpheus who was on the road to Emmaus), and are often placed next to each other in the lists of the Apostles. Their brother was St. James the Less. It was a good family!
Simon is given the nickname “Cananaean” in Matthew and Mark. Luke refers to him as a “zealot.” During Jesus’ time, the zealots were a Jewish sect representing an extreme Jewish nationalism. In the minds of the zealots, the Jews were to be a free and independent nation. God alone was their King. They often directed violence against foreigners and Jews who collaborated with Rome. They were chiefly responsible for the rebellion against Rome which ended in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
It’s interesting that Jesus calls a tax collector, Matthew, and a zealot to serve Him as apostles. These two groups disliked each other. Tax collectors were considered traitors in that they worked for the Romans in collecting taxes. Only Jesus is able to bring together such hostile groups!
Jesus is interested in people, not social classes or labels. Christ Himself binds us together as His family. His calling of two men from very different backgrounds is certainly a good lesson for us today.
Regarding Jude, tradition gives him two different names. John and Luke call him Jude, while Matthew and Mark call him Thaddeus. We know very little about Jude. John says that at the Last Supper, Jude asked Jesus, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?”
Our Lord responds, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Our heavenly Father makes His home in the hearts of those who love Him and keep His word. God never forces Himself on others. There is a famous painting of Jesus as the Good Shepherd knocking at the door to enter the house. The door has no handle on the outside.
Finally, Jude has become known as the patron saint of impossible cases. The New Testament letter attributed to him stresses that the faithful must persevere in harsh and difficult circumstances. Thus, we can have recourse to Jude when faced with what seems to be a hopeless case.
According to tradition, Simon and Jude were martyred in Persia. Simon was sawn in half and Jude was beaten with clubs. In art or stained glass windows, one typically sees Simon holding a saw and Jude holds a club. Both are believed to have been martyred on the same day, which is why they are honored together.
For us today, we honor two apostles chosen by Christ and who gave extraordinary witness to the primacy and love of Christ. It is interesting that our Lord calls together two brothers from the same family who were so full of zeal. It is also interesting that he calls together those who are so different, Simon and Matthew, to follow Him. You, too, have been called by Christ and bear witness that He is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6).
~Saints Simon and Jude, pray for us!